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Venus in Scorpio

Venus is about to move back into Scorpio – a sign she’s not particularly comfortable in. Venus in Scorpio is in what traditional astrologers term the sign of her detriment(remember back to this Toolbox?). This doesn’t mean that Venus is weak in Scorpio, it means that she is in a position where she can’t use her strength, in a place which is alien to her. She has no essential dignity in Scorpio.

Venus loves pleasure, beauty, art, food, attracting. What she doesn’t like is too much intensity, focus and sharp edges. Venus likes to attract, and in Mars-ruled Scorpio, she is magnetic. Venus likes to lightly and gracefully skate across the surface, in Scorpio she goes deeper to a place that is darker than she would like.

Anyways, if you want to know more about Venus in Scorpio, I just happened to have prepared something (much) earlier. You’ll find it here.

Venus has already been through here this year – back in September before she turned retrograde. Have a think about whatever was going on for you back then, as similar themes could be coming back up now.

Doing it for yourself…

We all have Scorpio somewhere in our chart, and it’s this part of life that Venus will be bestowing her presence on. It’s this part of life that you’ll find pleasure in – yes, even when Venus is in intensely focused Scorpio. Don’t be surprised over the next few weeks if you’re no longer pleased with the watered down option, or the almost there’s. Under Scorpio Venus is not satisfies with second best – nor is she in a mood to compromise.

If you have a particular obsession with something, you’ll probably want to be indulging that a tad now. If so, whether it be shoes, love, lust or something else entirely – take care not to obsess past a stage that is healthy for you.

Whereas you might have been inclined to socialize a lot under Venus in Libra, Venus in Scorpio is more about one-on-one occasions…so to speak…and not necessarily what you’re thinking- Venus in Scorpio prefers to catch up with close friends and talk about what’s really happening in their lives rather than skim the surface in a larger gathering.

Think about your relationship with whatever part of life Scorpio signifies for you. Have you been lying to yourself or to a significant other? Perhaps you’ve been hiding something away – or hiding from something. When Venus is in Scorpio all relationships require honesty. If it’s your first house that Venus is transiting through, think about your relationship with yourself. If it’s the 2nd, consider your relationship with money. Are you valuing yourself as highly as you need to be? If it’s the 7th, it’s honesty in relationships with partners that are important. In the 10th, what can you do to improve your relationship with your career, your boss, your job, your public persona? Are you pretending in any way? What can you do to make your work life more pleasurable?

Get the idea?

In my chart, Venus will begin her transit of Scorpio in the 8th house and finish it in the 9th. The 8th is about (amongst other things) debts, investments, inheritances. I’ll be using this first half of the transit to get some financials up to date. Somehow I doubt there’ll be much pleasure in it. More appropriately, I’ve recently enrolled in some online course around self-publishing and marketing and advertising on platforms such as Amazon and Facebook. I’m looking forward to getting stuck right into those. I think my 2nd house Venus in Aries would be happy.

If you have your chart already, look for Scorpio on your chart. This post will help you do that.

scorpio-2

If you don’t have your chart, read this post on how to get one.

If you don’t know what the houses mean, check out series 1 of the Toolbox or this post.

If you don’t have any idea about your birth time, or can’t be faffed working it out, you can follow the solar guide:

  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Scorpio, Venus will be transiting your 1st house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Sagittarius, Venus will be transiting your 12th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Capricorn, Venus will be transiting your 11th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Aquarius, Venus will be transiting your 10th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Pisces, Venus will be transiting your 9th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Aries, Venus will be transiting your 8th house.
  • If your Sun of Ascendant is in Taurus, Venus will be transiting your 7th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Gemini, Venus will be transiting your 6th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Cancer, Venus will be transiting your 5th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Leo, Venus will be transiting your 4th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Virgo, Venus will be transiting your 3rd house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Libra, Venus will be transiting your 2nd house.

Venus will be in Scorpio until 7/1/19.

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Top 10 Astrology Blogs

Ok, this came through the other week, but I’ve been totally flat-chat with the day job and being away on a massive road trip without wi-fi that this has been the first opportunity to really pause and tell you about it. Although if you follow me on Facebook you’d already know because I did pop something up there when it happened.

Anyways, I’m in the Top 10 Australian Astrology Blogs and I’m stoked, so thanks Feedspot for putting this list together.

Check out the link in the sidebar for the other great blogs on the list.

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Leo New Moon and Solar Eclipse

I’ve just got back from a two-week road trip covering over 3600 kms. If you’re interested, I’ve written about it over on my author site. We’ve travelled from the Sunshine Coast in South-East Queensland down to the Snowy Mountains in southern New South Wales and back again – a different way.

The primary purpose for the trip was to meet up with my brother and his family at a bush block in Eucumbene. Normally at this time of the year, there’s snow down there, but not this year, although the snow started as we were leaving – isn’t that always the way?

In any case, being in the outdoors with no cell phone reception is a fabulous way to recharge creatively. I came back with so many ideas – and one for a major new project that, in the interests of Mercury and Mars still being retrograde, I’ll mull over a tad more. It is, however, occupying way too much of my thinking time!

Leo, ruled by the Sun, is about ego, self-expression, creativity. It follows then, that the Leo New Moon is the most creative of new starts.

With Leo, though, the fear of potential exposure of someone standing up and pointing the finger and exposing you as a fraud is ever present. Wherever Leo is in your chart is where this matters. This is where it’s extra hard to risk a no to get a yes. Your challenge is to find heart, strength and courage without losing yourself in the process. The key here is not to lose sight of the things that make your heart sing.

The thing is, we’re all a work in progress as we go about creating the version of ourselves that we want to create. This is at the heart of Leo. Yet doing this, expressing this- our talents, passions, voice – all require you to take risks. And taking these risks requires a great big, brave heart.

Check out where this falls in your chart. It is that part of life where you are being asked to look for courage and strength but above all self-expression, generosity and creativity. It is where you are being asked to follow your heart and be who you are, not who you should be. There is a difference.

Think about this. Think about the things and people you have fun with. Have you forgotten how to play? When setting your intentions for this New Moon, consider these questions and set yourself a challenge – to do something fun, to play a little (or a lot)…because you want to…because you’re worth it.

Doing it for yourself…

If you’ve been reading along, you should know how to find where the New Moon is happening in your chart. If you’re new to this site (welcome), duck across and check out this post before you go any further.

The position you’re looking for is 18 Leo 42’…or thereabouts.

Now, let’s set our intentions. Think about the area of life you’re focusing on and set small achievable targets. Make sure that you do at least one thing towards this goal this month. If you’re unsure where to start, check out this post. One other thing, Jupiter is square this New Moon and Neptune is trine Jupiter. When you’re setting your intentions, make sure that they’re big ones – and that they align to your dreams.

  • How do the concerns of this house make you feel?
  • How would you like to feel about them?
  • What positive steps can you take over the next four weeks to minimise the gap between how you feel about this are and how you’d like to feel?

*****Write it down!!!!!!!!!!******

If you don’t have any idea about your birth time, or can’t be faffed working it out, you can follow the solar guide:

  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Leo, this New Moon will be in your 1st house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Virgo, this New Moon will be in your 12th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Libra, this New Moon will be in your 11th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Scorpio, this New Moon will be in your 10th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Sagittarius, this New Moon will be in your 9th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Capricorn, this New Moon will be in your 8th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Aquarius, this New Moon will be in your 7th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Pisces, this New Moon will be in your 6th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Aries, this New Moon will be in your 5th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Taurus, this New Moon will be in your 4th house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Gemini, this New Moon will be in your 3rd house.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Cancer this New Moon will be in your 2nd house.

As for me? Using whole signs (as I am these days) this New Moon falls in my 6thhouse. The intentions I’m setting are around my health and my heart. I am, however, being creative about that.

I do have some other creative projects on the go as well – don’t I always? – which I’m champing at the bit to get started on. How I’ll fit them in amongst everything else? I guess that’s where some healthy balance will need to come into it…and I’ve never been great with balance or moderation!

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Full Moon in Sagittarius

zodiac symbol Sagittarius

zodiac symbol Sagittarius

Full Moon in Sagittarius

I’ve been away from this blog for the past few months. The last post I published was in the middle of March, but I wrote that back in February. It’s been that long since I noticed a New Moon, a Full Moon, a planetary change. I didn’t even have anything to say about Uranus moving into Taurus. It wasn’t that I didn’t care, just that I didn’t feel I had anything to contribute – or the energy to contribute it.

In that time I’ve been concentrating on my day job and also have been writing my latest novel. I also had three fabulous weeks in France during April and May. If you’re interested in where we travelled to, I’m blogging it over on my author site.

Before I left I did, however, submit copy for this year’s Wellbeing Astrology. I’ll tell you more about that closer to the publication date later this year. All I’ll say about it now is that it was a fabulously fun article to write.

So why haven’t I created any new astro content? I’ve been this busy before – I’m usually this busy. I’ve usually got at least one novel on the go as well as my day job – but this is the longest I’ve gone without writing any astro.

The thing is, this recent holiday is the first one since 2008 where I left my laptop (deliberately) at home. I truly think I was tired. I sort of still am, but at least I’m feeling inspired again. I’ve come home with loads of stories I want to write.

Plus, this morning I went to my monthly astro club here on the Sunshine Coast and my curiosity was stimulated. We talked about concepts that I want to learn more about – and when I want to learn more about something, I write about it. That means I now have ideas for new astro posts.

On the drive home I had the realisation that I’ve been so hung up on working harder and worrying about how I’m going to earn the money we need to support our life while still writing what I want to write, that not only have I lost misplaced my faith, I’ve lost sight of my “why”.

Sure I want to eventually –preferably sooner rather than later – earn a good (fulltime) living from writing, but it’s more than that. For me, it’s about freedom – in particular, the freedom to experience and to expand my boundaries through experience. It’s about creating a body of work that I’m proud of and that I learn from.

That’s what this Full Moon in Sagittarius is about for me – a reminder to take a step out of the detail to see the possibility of the whole. To look away from the how to see the why.

Sagittarius rules my 10thhouse so it makes sense that these issues are coming up for me now. But every single one of us has a little bit of Sagittarius in us. It’s that part of life that is now crying out to experience something new and different – something that will expand your current reality. It’s your annual reminder to approach that part of your life with an open mind and a sense of adventure – and in the process create your personal freedom…whatever that happens to mean to you.

At this Full Moon, Sagittarius (the Moon) is associated with truth, faith, optimism and belief – what we know in our heart. On the other side of the chart, Gemini (the Sun) is associated with information and data – what we know in our head. What truth do we know but haven’t yet acknowledged? There’s no hiding from it under this Full Moon.

Wherever this Full Moon falls is where you need to use this faith to go further, travel wider – perhaps learn something new from someone (or somewhere) interesting.

Above all, it’s about enjoying the ride.

Doing it for yourself

Ok, by now you should know the drill, but if not, check out this post.

I’ve popped a solar guide below to keep things simple, but if you know where 8 Sagittarius 10’ falls in your chart, check that out.

As for what you can expect? By now you should also know what the general themes of each house are about, but if not – or if you’re new to this site (and welcome – it’s lovely to see you here) – you can always check out this post.

  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Sagittarius, this Full Moon falls in your 1st house- look also to the 7th house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Capricorn, this Full Moon falls in your 12th house- look also to the 6th house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Aquarius, this Full Moon falls in your 11th house- look also to the 5th house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Pisces, this Full Moon falls in your 10th house- look also to the 4th house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Aries, this Full Moon falls in your 9th house- look also to the 3rd house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Taurus, this Full Moon falls in your 8th house- look also to the 2nd house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Gemini, this Full Moon falls in your 7th house- look also to the 1st house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Cancer, this Full Moon falls in your 6th house- look also to the 12th house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Leo, this Full Moon falls in your 5th house- look also to the 11th house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Virgo, this Full Moon falls in your 4th house- look also to the 10th house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Libra, this Full Moon falls in your 3rd house- look also to the 9th house for balance.
  • If your Sun or Ascendant is in Scorpio this Full Moon falls in your 2nd house- look also to the 8th house for balance.

Full Moon in Sagittarius May 30 12.20am (AEST). That means May 29 pretty much anywhere else in the world…other than New Zealand, of course…

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Astroweather: February 17, 2018

Mars square Neptune

Ok, let’s get some things straight with this. Firstly, your energy levels could be lower than usual this morning. Don’t fight that, but instead work with it. Secondly, you’ll probably feel more doubt and inadequacy that you usually do. It’s your call whether you listen to that and the nay-sayers around you or whether you decide that you’ll feel differently tomorrow. Thirdly, accept the consequences of your actions and avoid the temptation to blame others for the decisions that led to those actions. Fourthly, the influence doesn’t last that long, leaving you to get on with the business of the day. Next?

Sun conjunct Mercury

What else? The Sun and Mercury meet up today in a conjunction that is more than your average planetary joining together. Those of you who have been reading along for a while will know that this is known as cazimi.

But for everyone else, what does it mean? What is cazimi? While it sounds as though it’s something that Harry Potter would say as he waved his wand about a bit, it’s that point when the Sun and Mercury are as close together as they can be.

When Mercury is within, say, 8° of the Sun, it’s said to be combust – and combust is not a great place to be. It’s about being so blinded by the light that you can’t see straight or think straight. If you have Mercury within 8° of the Sun natally, you might be the one who says you’re often overlooked – or not listened to – as though your opinions can’t be seen beyond the light of the Sun. Right?

Up to 17° is referred to as being under the sunbeams – but I digress.

The thing is, there’s no need to feel alone in this – given that Mercury is never more than around 28° from the Sun, the chances are relatively high that your Mercury could be less than 8° from your sun.

Cazimi, on the other hand – that point where Mercury and the Sun join in a golden glow of uber understanding and concentration – is a very, very good place for Mercury to be…however briefly. It can bring with it a blinding flash of seriously, just how smart am I?

The aspect is exact at 11.45pm or thereabouts (Sydney time), and about 12:45 pm GMT, but Mercury is said to be cazimi within around 17’ of arc. No, I’m not going to do the calculation for that, and I can see your eyes beginning to glaze over. The one thing I want you to take away from this is that in that golden period, Mercury is elevated to the pure Mercury-ness of it – yep, even when Mercury is retrograde.

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Astro Weather: January 25, 2018

Moon in Taurus

Mercury conjunct Pluto

Mercury sextile Jupiter

Ok, so if Mercury is about thought and communications, and Pluto is about depth and intensity, then together this aspect is about deep thought, penetrative thought, lifting the covers on the underlying issues, getting to the buried treasure, perhaps… It’s also a fleeting transit that could, if you need that – and are so inclined – provide you with an opportunity to influence others to your way of thinking.

Given that this is happening in Capricorn, it’s bound to be practical, and given Mercury will go on to sextile Jupiter don’t stop at the small stuff – push your thoughts past what you know and look beyond the horizon to the future.

Of course, you probably won’t do anything about it just yet, but take note for when Mercury is in Aquarius and tomorrow is here already.

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Something about astro weather forecasting

Why is it that some days you can’t step away from the fridge, and other days it’s really easy to treat your body like the temple that it absolutely is? Why do you jump out of bed some mornings keen to hit the gym, while on other days you have no energy and hit the snooze button repeatedly? Why can you concentrate on details some days and on others feel as though you have the attention span of a goldfish? Actually, who was it that said goldfish don’t have attention spans? Then there are those days where everyone around you seems irritable or overly emotional and people who you think should never have been granted a driver’s license are stealing your carpark.

It’s all about the Moon.

The Moon makes a complete circuit of the zodiac each month, spending around two and a half days in each sign. Each sign suits different types of activities. This is something that farmers, gardeners and fishermen have known for years – but how does it apply to modern daily life?

Regardless of your star sign, the sign that the Moon is in each day determines the prevailing emotional weather conditions – for all of us.

Just as each of us feels more comfortable in particular weather conditions, we may also feel more comfortable when the Moon is in particular signs. As a Pisces Moon, for example, I’m more comfortable when the Moon is in other water signs ie Cancer or Scorpio. Why? It’s because my natal Moon, being in a water sign, has an affinity with other water signs. I find my most challenging days are those when the Moon is in Virgo – the sign opposite to my Moon; or when the Moon is in Gemini or Sagittarius – the signs that are square to my Moon.

It can be a useful exercise to track your moods to the signs of the Moon. Are there particular signs where you find that your patience wears thin, your tolerance for bad drivers is non-existent, and you take everything – and I mean everything – personally.

What do you do with that knowledge? Stay in bed with the covers pulled over your head? Call in sick and tell your boss it’s because the Moon is out of alignment and your astrologer told you to stay home? Of course, you don’t. Instead, treat the knowledge as you would an umbrella on a rainy day. It’s not going to stop the rain from falling, but it could just protect you against getting soaked to the skin and make your day (even) a little more comfortable than it might have otherwise been.

Of course, we’re not always in control of our schedule – if you’re anything like me sometimes it will feel as if your schedule is in control of you! By planning ahead – where possible – and being aware of the astro weather for the day you can improve your ratio of good days. A rainy day, astrologically speaking, ahead? That’s ok, pack an umbrella. Is the forecast for sun? Why are you approaching the day expecting rain? A little scattered cloud? Shrug your shoulders and get on with it. The occasional storm in your forecast? Remember to count to ten…and again…before reacting.

Making the most of Lunar energy…

When the Moon is in Aries, Leo or Sagittarius, physical and creative energy levels are higher. This is perfect for exercise and sports.

When the Moon is in Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn, our attentions turn to practical concerns. This is perfect for body-work and business matters.

When the Moon is in Gemini, Libra or Aquarius, the urge to share ideas and communicate is strong. This is perfect for socialising and collaborating.

When the Moon is in Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces, emotions and moods may get the better of you. This is a great time to feel your way and trust your intuition.

When the Moon is in a Fire sign, or a Venus or Mars-ruled sign, sexual energy might be higher. Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Taurus, Libra or Scorpio, I’m looking at you.

Book beauty treatments, spa days, and use your charm to bargain or negotiate your way to the best possible deal when the Moon is in a Venus-ruled sign ie Taurus or Libra, and schedule that hair appointment when the Moon is in Leo, Aries, Libra, Capricorn or Pisces.

Schedule your downtime or rest and relaxation while the Moon is in Pisces or Taurus, and if you’re planning a party, you can’t go past Leo, Libra, Taurus, Sagittarius, Aquarius or Gemini energy.

To get the best from family functions, aim for a time when the Moon is in Cancer, Leo, Libra, Taurus, or Capricorn. Avoid Moon in Aries, Scorpio, Sagittarius or Aquarius – unless it’s fireworks that you’re after.

Your budget needs attention? Schedule for when the Moon is in Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio or Capricorn.

Planning is best done when the Moon is in Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius or Capricorn, and make that appointment with your solicitor to deal with legal matters when the Moon is in Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius or Capricorn. Of course, it won’t guarantee you victory, but at least the Moon will be on your side – and that’s something.

Make the most of your creativity when under the influence of a Gemini, Leo, Libra, Aquarius or Pisces Moon, and stick to your diet when the Moon is in Aries, Gemini, Virgo, Scorpio or Capricorn.

This post is an extract from my forthcoming ebook “Moon Magic – how to harness the power of the Moon”. Available from late January, initially, it will be available to newsletter subscribers only. If you’re a subscriber, keep an eye on your inbox in January for details of how you can download your free copy. If you’re not yet a subscriber, you can do so here.

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Happy Christmas…

I’m on a short break at the moment – relaxing for a few days with family and friends.

As for Christmas Day itself? We’ll have a swim or a walk on the beach before breakfast, and a combination of roast meats, salads, and prawns for a long, lazy lunch with friends.

Then we’ll lie about and wonder why we ate so much. As you do.

So, from me to you, may I wish you and yours all the joy of the season – however it is that you celebrate it.